The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) provides a diverse group of emerging student leaders with a scholarship for one semester of non-degree academic study at a U.S. college or university. The program is sponsored by the U.S Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and aims to recruit participants from underrepresented, non-elite backgrounds, who have not had other opportunities to study in the United States. Successful applicants can expect an in-depth exposure to U.S. society, culture, and academic institutions, as well as opportunities to enhance their professional skills.

All participants will be enrolled in full-time, non-degree, undergraduate course work chosen from their host institution’s existing curriculum. Participants will be required to take one, 3-credit U.S. studies course to enhance their understanding of the United States. Participants will live in campus housing facilities with American peers, and will be required to participate in twenty hours of community service. There will also be a virtual arrival orientation and an in-person end-of-program workshop.

Eligibility Requirements:

The Global UGRAD Program is open to anyone who is/has:

Over 18 years of age;

A citizen of the Philippines, currently residing in the country;

Completed their first year of undergraduate study prior to applying for the Global UGRAD Program;

Enrolled as an undergraduate in good standing at any accredited university, public or private, and has at least one semester remaining at their home university at the conclusion of the UGRAD program;

Not tagged as a “graduating student” of his/her university. The Global UGRAD program cannot be the final academic term of a student’s undergraduate study;

A solid command of written and spoken English (English Language training for some finalists is possible);

Able to begin studies in the United States in August 2019 or January 2020 (selected participants may not defer to a later date);

Eligible to receive and maintain the US student exchange visa (J-1) required for the program;

Committed to returning to their home country after the completion of the program.

Individuals holding dual citizenship, are permanent residents of the U.S., and/or are presently studying in the US are not eligible.

Required Documents:

Personal statement and responses to essay questions (part of the online application)

Copy of biographic & signature pages of your passport, if available

Official transcripts for years of university study (with English translations); please provide grade equivalences used by your university

Two (2) letters of recommendation from teachers/professors: first, second

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score report, if available

Applications must be submitted through World Learning’s online application portal. A step-by-step student guide for the online application can be found here. The deadline for submission of applications is on December 31, 2018, 5:00pm EST.